Rita Marie Roach

Rita Marie Roach (nee Nemec), age 80, beloved wife of the late James M. Roach, passed away November 14, 2022 while surrounded by her daughters, brother and an incredibly kind hospice nurse, after a challenging year wrestling with congestive heart failure. Rita, daughter of John and Estelle Nemec, was born on August 21, 1942 in Chicago, IL and grew up in the Bridgeport neighborhood where she attended grade school at Nativity of Our Lord and made lifelong friends. She then attended Visitation High School where her yearbook caption stated, “She had a smile for everyone” and how true it was. In order to attend college, the first in her family, Rita worked her way through school as a cashier at the A&P, as a park district camp counselor and by delivering mail at the Prudential building where Jim, her future husband, always suspected she caught his eye years before they actually met. She graduated with a degree in Sociology from Mundelein College. As an elementary school teacher, she loved teaching children to read and setting a strong foundation for them to thrive in school. She had fond memories of her students and fellow teachers, especially at Sacred Heart School in Homestead, Fl. Rita married Jim in 1966 at her childhood parish Nativity where as they exited the church to bagpipe tunes of the Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band they were met by the local NBC news team for a live interview. Jim was so proud to be marrying Rita he had called the news station and told them to come to his wedding. Rita was swept off her feet by his gregarious and charming South Side Irish personality. Rita and Jim had two daughters who were fortunate to inherit most of the best qualities of their parents and maybe only one or two needing improvement. Rita created a loving home and while the family moved several times, she always ensured her girls were in matching outfits. Eventually arriving in Wellington, FL in 1981, Rita and Jim became early parishioners of Saint Rita Catholic Church where they enjoyed the friendship of those in their faith community. Throughout her life Rita valiantly fought against depression, sometimes making it hard to maintain the friendships she so carefully cultivated and loved. Depression is a heartbreaking and isolating disease. To all those who knew Rita but may have struggled to maintain a relationship, please know that she appreciated your friendship even if it appeared that she didn’t. If you currently know someone who suffers from depression or mental illness, please continue to be their friend even if it seems they don’t want you to. It is with your love and support they will find a way out of the darkness and into the light. Rita is survived by her daughters Sheila Roach-Deleon (Luis) and Maureen Wacha (Clifford); Her grandchildren Mary and Jimmy; Her brother Tom Nemec (Mae) and her sisters-in-law Sheila Zimmer (Bob) and Lucinda Roach; nieces and nephews; an especially dear cousin, Joyce Travis and loving friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard Nemec, and her beloved aunt Bernice Bierman. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 21 at 9AM-10AM at Palms West Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11AM at St. Rita Catholic Church with burial at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, smile and be kind to each other.

Rita Marie Roach

August 21, 1942 - November 14, 2022